Kansas City Chiefs: Latest Free-Agency News and Rumors

As we inch closer to the end of February and the start of March, the Kansas City Chiefs have plenty of business to take care of as there is some uncertainty about what is to come. From re-signing key players, freeing up cap space and targeting potential free agents, general manager John Dorsey will have a busy couple of weeks coming up.

After freeing up some cap space already, the Chiefs must continue to create more space, especially if they want to make a splash in free agency, which is what fans are hoping for at wide receiver and offensive line.

Provided that key free agents are re-signed, Kansas City is a couple of pieces away from returning to the playoffs and becoming a legitimate threat in the league. Some of the recent headlines show the Chiefs are trying to free up cap space, but signs show that there won't be a positive ending for everyone involved in Kansas City.

Here are some of the recent news and rumors involving the Chiefs.

DE Mike DeVito Asked to Take Pay Cut, May Test Free Agency

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NFL.com's Conor Orr reported on Wednesday that the Kansas City Chiefs will likely ask defensive end Mike DeVito to take a pay cut.

It makes sense, considering the Chiefs are trying to re-sign Justin Houston and Rodney Hudson—more on that in upcoming slides—and gave Allen Bailey a new contract during the season. DeVito is currently set to earn $5.4 million from the Chiefs this year, eighth-most on the team.

While DeVito is good against the run, where the Chiefs drastically need help, they may be concerned if he will be the same after he tore his Achilles. Then again, the injury came in Week 1, giving him ample time to recover. 

If the two sides can't agree on a pay cut, the Chiefs can go with defensive end Jaye Howard and cut DeVito, which would free up $4 million.

DeVito suffered an injury on opening week against the Tennessee Titans, missing the rest of the 2014 season.

Rodney Hudson Could Leave and Sign with an AFC West Team

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ESPN's John Clayton linked Rodney Hudson to the Oakland Raiders, saying that it is possible the Raiders will pay him $7 million per year. 

Hudson was the team's only viable pass-blocker on the offensive line, surrendering just three sacks while starting all 16 games for the first time in his career, according to Stats Hosted Solution.

With the offensive line receiving plenty of criticism, Hudson was excluded from the negativity. Losing him would mean the Chiefs don't have an offensive line. While Jeff Allen is returning, he remains an unknown because he missed all of last year with an injury. 

As if losing Hudson wasn't bad enough, seeing him get picked up by the Raiders would make it worse.

Chiefs Linked to WR Torrey Smith

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You have heard plenty of times about the hapless statistic of wide receiver touchdowns, so we won't repeat it. We do know that the Chiefs need wide receivers through free agency and the draft, though.

In the same video that Clayton mentioned the possible Hudson-Raiders signing, he went on to say that the Chiefs should consider Baltimore Ravens receiver Torrey Smith.

In four seasons with the Ravens, Smith logged 213 catches for 3,591 yards and 30 touchdowns, including 11 this past season.

Staying healthy makes Smith an enticing receiver for teams to consider. He did not start his first two NFL games as a rookie in 2011. Since then, he has started 62 consecutive games and served as one of Joe Flacco's favorite targets.

If Smith joins the Chiefs, he would add some speed and give the Chiefs an end-zone threat in the passing game.

If Houston Stays, Expect Another Cap Casualty

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There has been little-to-no progress made between the Chiefs and Joel Segal, Justin Houston's agent. Whether he gets re-signed or receives the franchise tag, the Chiefs will dish out a lot of money to Houston.

Given the team's cap limitations, this could result in another cap casualty. Sean Keeler of Fox Sports reminds us that the NFL is a business, saying that if Houston stays, a popular veteran will likely leave unless he takes a pay cut.

If the team cuts outside linebacker Tamba Hali, the Chiefs would free up $9 million in cap space. If cornerback Sean Smith is cut, the team will free up $5.5 million. Dwayne Bowe has been widely expected to take a pay cut, as he is set to make $14 million. A release would free up $5 million in cap space for the Chiefs.

Either way, we know that no matter what, the Chiefs will lose someone. If they have to lose someone, the best case is if the team parts ways with Bowe, as his departure would not be a major loss.

Dwayne Bowe Should Take a Pay Cut, but Will He?

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Since Bowe signed his megacontract shortly after Dorsey became general manager of the team in 2013, the "Bowe Show" has been a no-show. Under Andy Reid, Bowe has zero 100-yard receiving games in the regular season while playing as the team's primary receiver.

Keeler wrote another column about Chiefs free agency, saying that Bowe simply needs to take a pay cut.

For the lack of production, Bowe is not worth $14 million, which is how much he is receiving, or even half of that.

With Donnie Avery and A.J. Jenkins out, the Chiefs may try to keep Bowe because of familiarity, but they should not retain him for that price.

Salary information courtesy of Over The Cap. Statistics courtesy of ESPN.com.

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